POTSDAM -- Michelle Young, Dean of Libraries at Clarkson University, has been appointed by the New York Library Association’s (NYLA) President to be the Chair of NYLA Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC). In this position, Young will serve as a liaison between the NYLA membership and the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom (ALA-OIF), and work to maintain a strong partnership with NYLA's Intellectual Freedom Roundtable. The IFC promotes the use of ALA-OIF resources and services within New York State and acts in concert with NYLA's Legislative Committee to determine whether an intellectual freedom issue has a state legislative component. The IFC also administers the NYLA Intellectual Freedom Award.

Young is experienced in staff development, strategic planning, construction and renovation projects, as well as policy and planning work. She has extensive involvement in working with a variety of committees, teams, and boards that span the academic spectrum. Additionally, she has successfully been involved in organizational governance, publishing, presenting and fundraising activities.

Young served as the NYLA President from 2018-2019, American Library Association Chapter President for New York State from 2018-2019, NYLA Academic and Special Libraries Section President from 2016-2017, and the Northern New York Library Network Board President from 2017-2019.